MONTE CARLO ROLEX MASTERS - Apr. 12-20 - 2014.

[Moxie]

Today's weather was perfect, dry warmer conditions, slow surface.. However , it appears that things could change this weekend.. maybe 60% chance of rain on Sunday:nono

Oh, were is that "dislike" button when you need it??

Ah Moxie... :hug

You have other options:

this - lease:

or this - :emperor:

Weather Smether. Novak eats spaniards for breakfast (a little bravado on my part).

Seriously though, I have seen few thrashings as effortless and wonderful as what Novak did today.

Go on with your bravado. Rafa and Novak devouring small smelts for snacks. The banquet is yet to come. Hopefully we get it.

 

[Front242]

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4jGOOfZNvk[/video]

Funny. For all that Djokovic won 6-0 6-1 today, his match took 29 seconds and Federer took 20 secs yesterday to Nadal's 19 seconds :snigger He still has a long way to go

 

[golds girl]

Watching the replay of Tsonga-Fognini. While I do think Fognini can be a fun player to watch, including the antics, I'm getting a little tired of his bratty behavior…and he doesn't do himself any favors with it. Also, he swears in Italian, knowing that the umps don't always catch it, though Bernardes is too good a linguist for him.

I think the randomness of the flare-ups is what is most frustrating as well. He had a prior match against Bautista-Agut where Agut was clearly trying to aggravate by constantly complaining to the chair about Fognini not getting warnings for his outbursts. I thought for sure this would send him over the edge but he remained calm...no meltdowns, no complaining. And then TOTAL meltdown today, it's almost like dealing with an unpredictable toddler.:nono

 

[Moxie]

Watching the replay of Tsonga-Fognini. While I do think Fognini can be a fun player to watch, including the antics, I'm getting a little tired of his bratty behavior…and he doesn't do himself any favors with it. Also, he swears in Italian, knowing that the umps don't always catch it, though Bernardes is too good a linguist for him.

I think the randomness of the flare-ups is what is most frustrating as well. He had a prior match against Bautista-Agut where Agut was clearly trying to aggravate by constantly complaining to the chair about Fognini not getting warnings for his outbursts. I thought for sure this would send him over the edge but he remained calm...no meltdowns, no complaining. And then TOTAL meltdown today, it's almost like dealing with an unpredictable toddler.:nono

Agut was wrong to interfere, but Fognini was then calling Agut a "rompe coglioni" (ball-buster,) which is what I mean about him swearing in Italian and getting away with it. OK, that wasn't his worst, but he does say much worse, all the time. He's like Safin, as far as I'm concerned. When he holds it together, he has a really appealing game. When his head explodes, there's no telling what you'll get. And yes, they both could fully behave like toddlers…usually to their own detriment.

 

[pavlik89]

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltNTtDkTmOc[/video]

 

[Kieran]

Stan the Man kept his end of the bargain, by reaching the semis... :clap

 

[Kieran]

I know Daveed is a small bloke, but there's no need for Rafa to be dropping everything so short, Ferrer, as ever, is like a Jack Russell, dashing about the place with his tail high, trying to protect his early break...

 

[TsarMatt]

This deuce game has been going on for an eternity.

I want to see Nadal win so he can face Stan again. Wawrinka certainly wants to prove his AO win was no fluke...

 

[Kieran]

Fair play to Ferrer, his game is based upon sound principles, he's achieving great depth and forcing errors from Nadal...

 

[Kieran]

Ah! Rafa nailed him with a juicy lob! :clap

 

[Kieran]

There's the break, and you sense, the set, even though it's early yet. Rafa has found his range, and Daveed was stretched there trying to keep him out...

 

[tented]

What a game! 15+ minutes. Thankfully Rafa won it.

 

[TsarMatt]

15 minute game! Man... Ferrer should have committed to that volley, though.

 

[TsarMatt]

I can not believe Ferrer did not put that volley away! He just tapped it right into Rafa's devastating forehand.

Man, some arduous rallies so far.

EDIT: That BH passing shot. Beautiful, Ferrer, beautiful.

 

[brokenshoelace]

It's amazing how well these top players anticipate and read the game. That's probably the most under-appreciated aspect of Nadal, Djokovic, Federer and Murray's games.

 

[Kieran]

Just when I'm cockily writing off the little terrier, he's got Rafa at 15-30, second serve... :nono

 

[TsarMatt]

And Nadal gets broken. That DF was a gift. Try and consolidate here, Ferrer. Don't make this another 15 minute deuce game...

 

[Kieran]

Uncle T looks "philosophical" about his charge dumping the game with a double fault.

This is the thing with Rafa-Ferrer matches. They're longwinded. Even if Daveed gets ahead, you presume Rafa will tag him, but it's looooooonnnng.....

 

[TsarMatt]

Ferrer is the type of guy who could play high-intensity tennis for twelve hours and not even break a sweat... He is a fitness freak.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Just when I'm cockily writing off the little terrier, he's got Rafa at 15-30, second serve... :nono

Nadal isn't playing well enough and hasn't been all year. Contrary to popular belief, Ferrer doesn't just fold when he plays against him. So don't expect this match to be particularly pretty or for Nadal to cruise.